High density of white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) and habitat quality in the Taboga Forest of Costa Rica

Across the globe, primates are threatened by human activities. This is especially true for species found in tropical dry forests, which remain largely unprotected. Our ability to predict primate abundance in the face of human activity depends on different species' sensitivities as well as on th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	American journal of primatology Vol. 82; no. 2; pp. e23096 - n/a
Main Authors:	Tinsley Johnson, Elizabeth, Benítez, Marcela E., Fuentes, Alexander, McLean, Celia R., Norford, Ariek B., Ordoñez, Juan Carlos, Beehner, Jacinta C., Bergman, Thore J.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-02-2020
Subjects:	Abundance Access Agricultural land Anthropogenic factors Cebus capucinus Cebus imitator conservation Deciduous forests Density Dry forests Ecological conditions Ecological succession edge effect Forests fragmentation Fragments Habitat fragmentation Habitats Human influences Monkeys Primates Species diversity Species richness Succession tropical dry forest Tropical forests Water Costa Rica conservation edge effect tropical dry forest fragmentation Cebus imitator
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Summary:	Across the globe, primates are threatened by human activities. This is especially true for species found in tropical dry forests, which remain largely unprotected. Our ability to predict primate abundance in the face of human activity depends on different species' sensitivities as well as on the characteristics of the forest itself. We studied plant and primate distribution and abundance in the Taboga Forest, a 516‐ha tropical dry forest surrounded by agricultural fields in northwestern Costa Rica. We found that the density of white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) at Taboga is 2–6 times higher than reported for other long‐term white‐faced capuchin sites. Using plant transects, we also found relatively high species richness, diversity, and equitability compared with other tropical dry forests. Edge transects (i.e., within 100 m from the forest boundary) differed from interior transects in two ways: (a) tree species associated with dry forest succession were well‐established in the edge and (b) canopy cover in the edge was maintained year‐round, while the interior forest was deciduous. Sighting rates for capuchins were higher near water sources but did not vary between the edge and interior forest. For comparison, we also found the same to be true for the only other primate in the Taboga Forest, mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). Year‐round access to water might explain why some primate species can flourish even alongside anthropogenic disturbance. Forest fragments like Taboga may support high densities of some species because they provide a mosaic of habitats and key resources that buffer adverse ecological conditions. Capuchin densities in Taboga, a 516‐ha tropical dry forest in Costa Rica, are 2‐6 times higher than other surveyed sites. Forest fragments like Taboga may support high primate densities because they provide a mosaic of habitats and key resources like year‐round access to water. Research Highlights Capuchin densities in Taboga, a 516‐ha tropical dry forest in Costa Rica, are 2–6 times higher than other surveyed sites. Forest fragments like Taboga may support high primate densities because they provide a mosaic of habitats and key resources like year‐round access to water.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0275-2565 1098-2345
DOI:	10.1002/ajp.23096